The first reason for starting this page and for supporting the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to To End Alzheimer's is a personal one. My loving wife has had Alzheimer's for many years and the decline is very noticeable and the stresses of being a caregiver are overwhelming.  

The second reason is that our military community has a higher than average incidence of Alzheimer's than the general public. This along with TBI (traumatic brain injury) shows we need to do even more for our military members and their families. 

Our Military Ministry's motto says "We are Standing Strong Shoulder to Shoulder, and we are Stronger Standing Together than when we are standing alone".  

This means we strive that no one walks alone in their struggles whether because of a military issue. We also believe that goes beyond our Military community to the community we live in. No one knows the struggles of battle more than a person who has been in battle. This is true in combat and in life. Statistics now show that the Military Veteran has a higher % rate of Alzheimer's than the general public by more than 10% and it has grown 166% between 2004 and 2014. 

In serving alongside the Alzheimer's Association CVC has the opportunity to serve our veterans and the general public. We know Standing Strong Shoulder to Shoulder is something powerful because others have walked with us. 

Personally, our Military group has over 10% of its overall team dealing with Alzheimer's. That is one reason why we say "YES" to Standing Strong Shoulder to Shoulder in unity and love with others.  Semper Fi  

P.S. My loving Barbara has Alzheimer's.   View our web page www.CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org